BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 2522
By: Stiles
April 25, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

In 1979, the 66th Legislature created the Law Enforcement and
Custodial Officers Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF), which in
conjunction with the Employees Retirement System (ERS) Fund,
provides certain employees in law enforcement areas with enhanced
retirement benefits.  This program allows employees in hazardous
occupations to retire earlier and to receive a higher annuity than
other state employees.

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy was authorized to commission
employees as peace officers in 1981 pursuant to Article 4542a-1,
Section 17(u), V.T.C.S.. However, because commissioned peace
officers of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy are not included in
the definition of law enforcement officers and custodial officers
entitled to enhanced retirement benefits, they are not eligible.

PURPOSE

The bill broadens the definition of law enforcement officers
eligible for enhanced retirement benefits to include commissioned
peace officers employed by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 811.001(9), Government Code, to add to
the definition of a law enforcement officer a member of the
retirement system who has been commissioned by the Texas State
Board of Pharmacy.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 814.104(b), Government Code, to add the
Texas State Board of Pharmacy to the list of agencies from which an
eligible peace officer may retire and receive a service retirement
annuity. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 815.505, Government Code, to add the
Texas State Board of Pharmacy to the list of agencies required to
certify to the retirement system the names of employees and the
amount of service each employee performed as a law enforcement
officer or custodial officer during that fiscal year. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 27, Chapter 791, Acts of the 73rd
Legislature, 1993 to add the State Board of Pharmacy to the list of
agencies required to certify to the ERS the name of each person
employed on Sept. 1, 1995 by that agency as a law enforcement
officer or custodial officer as described.

SECTION 5.  Effective date, Sept. 1, 1995

SECTION 6. Emergency clause



COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute bill is substantially the same as the originally
filed bill.  The difference is that the substitute bill is a
Legislative Council draft and uses their wording and format.  

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

HB 2522 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 24, 1995.

Rep. Stiles testified as the bill's author.

The Committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.  The
substitute was adopted without objection.  The bill was reported
favorably as substituted with the recommendation that it do pass
and be printed by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv & 2
absent.